Page 35 of Haze

“Let’s cut it short, yeah?” I offer.

“Stay the fuck away from Brayden Bachman. You keep your fucking nose clean. Until I’m sure you’re a member of this pack, I’m not sticking my neck out any farther for you,” Cade says, his words full of dangerous anger.

He draws a deep breath and runs his hand back through his hair. I didn’t realize how tired he looked at first. Cade’s a Pack Alpha fighting with their government while Lena is in university three days a week and Deacon is strung out. It’s a miracle he can still stand. Even with four Quartermasters and me, Magnus would get worn out.

He continues, but his voice is much lower, as if he’s keeping a secret. “The media are starting to circle. We’ll be under a microscope very soon. I’m not having your reputation or temper blow up everything I’m working for. I already have someone who doesn’t belong here threatening to make my life difficult. Don’t be another problem.”

“Understood,” I answer.

The implication is clear. I’ve made it increasingly difficult for Cade to offer me a place here without an anchor to his pack.

“I’ll see you in two weeks?” Cade’s voice is flat.

Even if it was a suggestion, I don’t take it as such. Nodding, I wait to be excused.

A black SUV pulls up alongside my rental car. Cade bristles, and I shift my body to stand next to him and face the vehicle.

Two large wolves open the vehicle’s front doors before a third, whom I recognize but from a different side of the world, comes around from the back. However, it doesn’t curb my shock when the final door on the SUV opens and my second least favorite person in this world steps out.

I shouldn’t be surprised though. Word has it that The Leviathan has been demanded back to the home country. Why wouldn’t Revecca be here to ensure his return?

“What are you doing here?” Revecca Ardelean, my brother’s ‘mate,’ snaps.

My wolf is forced back hard into my gut. It’s hard to breathe. What does Magnus see in her? I suppose he has no choice in the matter. God’s given him a woman he’s meant for. Grateful she’s not mine is the most I should say about it.

Cade looks at me, then back to Revecca. “I’ve asked him here. Enough.”

Pulling it together, I answer Revecca’s question. “Had assumed by now you’d have heard I’ve been cast out.”

“You cannot be here. Absolutely not. Do you know the nightmare this will cause with Germany? They’re already upset this one intends to stay ruling from the States. The lack of authority coming from the colonies is a nightmare. You cannot take up residence in his pack. The imbalance of power this will make.” Revecca speaks quickly. Her words come out harshly, almost slipping into Romanian.

“Finn is more than welcome here. Whatever issue Dietrich, in Germany, has, he can address with me personally. Finn’s an excellent asset to have in a pack. I’m not casting him out because you seem to believe I’m doing something nefarious.” Cade defends me in stark contradiction to our previous conversation. He mutters under his breath, “Though if she keeps showing up, I might.”

I bite my tongue to stop the laugh from escaping. Cade clearly wants whatever will piss off Revecca. I’m glad to be an asset if necessary.

“Revecca, I’ll speak with you in a moment. Please go inside and get comfortable.” Cade gestures to the house.

With a snarl and a headshake, she leaves the two of us to talk in the driveway while she goes into the house.

The guard I recognize from home gives me a small nod. What happened that caused Magnus to force someone from home onto her security detail? Especially someone so skilled. Whatever it is, it’s none of my business.

Only after the door is closed does Cade turn back to me. “Later, I will ask about this, and I will need honest answers, but right now, Revecca Ardelean is nothing more than a nuisance. You’re staying because I’m staying and Lena is staying. I know you’re about to leave here and go back to her to try and get her to spend time with you. But I’m warning you, Lena doesn’t warm up to people quickly. Since I won’t bother trying to talk you out of it, I suggest you bring her a peace offering. She likes flowers and red is her favorite color. You can’t go wrong with the classics.”

“Thank you.” I smile.

“You’re welcome.” Cade nods and walks away from the car.

* * *

Taking Cade’s advice to heart, I find a florist and pick up a dozen red roses. Carrying them to her building’s entrance, I observe the security. Lena’s building’s front security isn’t perfect. But it’s strong enough that I’m not afraid for her safety.

The easiest target to breach security comes along soon enough. A woman, carrying a few bags of groceries, walks toward the door. I follow her. She hesitates but lets me follow her inside. While she takes the corridor down the hallway to an apartment, I take the elevator heading directly to the top floor. With the affluence of the Aldens, I know there’s no way they didn’t take the most secure floor.

Her scent hits me in the hallway when the elevator doors open. I let my wolf guide me. Taking deep breaths and checking apartment doors, at last, we find one that smells strongly of her.

My wolf presses forward, in tune with me, as I listen to the other side of the door. Was that a noise?

“Kathleen?” I knock.

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